About Gary Wartik

Gary L. Wartik is the founder of Vision Economics.

Gary Wartik has more than thirty years of experience in the fields of service offered by the firm, both in the public and private sector. In February, 2011, he completed 12 years of service as Manager of Economic Development for the City of Thousand Oaks, California.

Gary has a strong background in economic development resulting from consulting in the field and having worked for 12 years for one of the most dynamic cities in California. His work has included development of property based business improvement and tourism business improvement districts, development and implementation of economic development plans and strong interaction with the business community.

On the private sector side, Gary specializes in development of business plans and strategic business planning, business assessments, including cost and forensic accounting, turnaround strategies, debt management and debt resolution for companies, either on a non-court basis or in the Chapter 11 reorganization process.

Gary is active in the Ventura County community at large. His most recent related activities include service on the following:

Board of Directors, New West Symphony, serving West Los Angeles and all of Ventura County

Board of Directors, Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County (2007 Chairman of the Board)

Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County (appointed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors)

One of the firm’s most recent contracts was to serve as the executive director of the Ventura County Lodging Association, a tourism business improvement district in the western part of Ventura County, CA. The contract involved working with 55 hotels and other hospitality venues in Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura to develop and implement what has become a very successful collaborative marketing and advertising program for the area’s hotels, all designed to stimulate economic activity through tourism and its various components.

Gary holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge in Political Science, with minors in economics and journalism. During his senior year, Gary served as student body president. He also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctorate from the San Fernando Valley College of Law.

Gary and his wife Laurie are both native Californians, have five adult children among them and live in Camarillo and Palm Desert, CA with their Golden Retriever, Mr. Puppy.